Deja Vu

You know the feeling that you've been here before? This spot, right now, this instant? Like you are reliving something you already know well? Weird and discomforting; also intriguing.

Déjà vu is more common than we think. You’ve encountered it many times no doubt. For me opening the Internet the other day this quote by President Eisenhower from 1954 really struck a familiar chord!

“Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and far programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things…Their number is negligible and they are stupid.”

Need I remind folks that Ike was a well heeled Republican? A commonsense leader who focused on doable goals and far reaching objectives for the good of the American people? That’s the Republican Party I remember. Not the one now churning the countryside for votes in a never-ending march to the past.

Eisenhower had the stupid part down right. The negligible number part, however, he got wrong. That number is now roughly 38% of the adult population of the USA; a higher number when actual voters are analyzed in any particular election.

That underscores why it is so important to vote. The minority often has more power when they are able to push their voters into action. So the rest of us need to be sure to register to vote and actually vote.

Basic programs that have safeguarded our quality of life and culture need continuing support to be left undamaged. We should not take these things for granted.

Sounding very much like Eisenhower, Bernie Sanders, Independent Senator from Vermont, gave us this quote dated from November, 2011:

“This country does in fact have a serious deficit problem. But the reality is that the deficit was caused by two wars – unpaid for. It was caused by huge tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country. It was caused by a recession as a result of the greed, recklessness and illegal behavior on Wall Street. And if those are the causes of the deficit, I will be damned if we’re going to balance the budget on the backs of the elderly, the sick, the children, and the poor. That’s wrong.”

I know some of you will say I’ve beat this drum before. I have. Admittedly. But the argument needs restating when the airwaves are filled with the opposite message constantly. When will the majority stand and make it clear they will not allow political games to be played with their future? The déjà vu message here is just this: I’ve been aware and active since I was a young teenager on these very same issue. I thought by now, 50 years later, these arguments wouldn’t have to be argued and re-argued incessantly just to maintain the status quo. But no! This nonsensical debate continues ad nausea.

If there are 100 million more adults out there who believe as I do, then shut me up and get your friends and family to stand up to be counted on these issues. Please! I can’t do this forever, nor do you want me to!

Apropos of this, Bernie Sanders told Bill Moyers during a TV interview:

“Well, the immediate political solution is a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United [the Supreme Court decision allowing corporations to be treated as citizens]. The longer-term solution is people all over this country saying, ‘We’re not going to give up the democracy that has made this country great, so that a handful of billionaires can control the political process. We ain’t going to allow that to happen.’ We need public funding of elections, which I think is probably the most important thing we can do politically. Billionaires cannot and should not be allowed to buy elections.”

I know you will recall hearing those words before. Right here in this blog. One thing you cannot accuse me of is inconsistency!

Bernie Sanders seems to have his head screwed on right. The important issues are really few and very basic. If we keep our eyes and minds focused on them we will do alright. However, if we allow ourselves to be distracted by nonsense thrown up as smoke screen, we will surely lose sight of the basics.

Election day approaches. Be very certain you know what positions you will support on that fateful day!  Please.

September 14, 2012